ENERGY STAR® standards are important because second only to residential heating and cooling, home water heating is number one in residential energy consumption. Even as homes are designed to be more energy-efficient, the percentage of energy used in water heating is still a predominant factor.

When it comes to efficiently heating water, tankless water heaters are one of the hottest innovations to hit the industry in decades. The appeal of tankless water heaters is that you can save money by not constantly heating the water in your tank during periods when you are not using hot water.

When purchasing a new (HVAC) heating, ventilating & air conditioning system, remember that high efficiency levels begin with ENERGY STAR®. Whether you're searching for a new heat pump, furnace, or other heating and cooling equipment, ENERGY STAR® has set energy efficiency specifications to help you save on energy bills and improve the comfort level in your home. Common HVAC systems include furnaces, boilers, heat pumps and central air conditioners.

Furnaces are the most commonly used residential heating system in the United States, running most often on gas, but sometimes on fuel oil or electricity, and deliver their heat through a duct system.

Equipment sizing affects both the comfort of your home, and your ongoing costs to operate your new furnace or air conditioner. If the equipment is too small, it won't adequately heat or cool you house. If it is too large, it will cycle on and off more often than necessary.